Aftwind

Just a random muse, trying to pin down Aftwind's character (as well as the apprentice). It makes me laugh :) He's actually kind of creepy, lol.

Submitted:Apr 14, 2010
Reads: 63
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Sunlight squinted through the leafy trees, reaching out towards
the cool, hard-packed soil that made up the river banks. The
water was quiet along this part, but a few yards along there was
a small waterfall, sloshing around a tree branch which had lodged
right in the middle. There was no breeze in this part of the
forest, but the rich, musty smell of mud carried high, past the
still treetops.

Along the mossy riverbank ambled a curious creature. Warm grey
fur lies flat against his sleek hide, darkening at the tips of
his pointed ears. He has a familiar ambling gait, pacing forward
several pawlengths before pausing and sniffing the mulchy soil.
Bright yellow eyes glance rapidly ahead and behind, as though
looking for predators. But this creature is not primarily a prey
animal - his eyes are in the front of his face; a hunter. He
shakes his short, fluffy tail and sits up, turning his head
suddenly across the river and fixing his catlike eyes on
something.

"I see you." He says distractedly as he turns back to his
browsing. "It's very irritating when you stalk me like this,
Gabriel. You'd think an apprentice like you would have better
things to do with his time."

"But it amuses me." Protested Gabriel, standing up and trying to
dust the leaves and other debris out of his overgrown hair.

"So I see." Replied the other creature, not looking up from his
position.

"Reading is for sissies. Of course I'm not going to look through
my assignments if everything he assigns is boring and pointless.
When he starts taking this apprenticeship seriously, so will I."

Gabriel jumped across the water, landing almost nimbly on a
boulder in the middle; he gave up and waded the rest of the way.

"Don't you think so?" Gabriel added, and the odd creature finally
turned to look up at the boy. The face of his companion was
almost five feet away.

"No." He said simply, wrinkling his nose. "Actually, I enjoy
reading. Given the proper circumstances, of course. And a good
book."

"Yes, well I really don't find the time for it." Said Gabriel
morosely.

The other creature decidedly made no comment.

"Gabey! Gabey!" They heard a distant shrieking.

"Agh." Sighed Gabriel. "It's Annie. She always wants to play
'house' with me."
"That's what sisters are for." Commented the
Creature.

"I guess so." Gabriel scratched at a clump of mud on his neck and
turned towards the sound of his sister's voice.

Such a sudden transformation, mused the Creature. From
indolent student to caring brother. I wish I was sentimental
enough to care…The Creature smiled at his own wry humor and,
unseen, plodded after the boy.